The tactic of stalling has always been the most appropriate method for relevant institutions when something goes wrong. If an incident blows up online and is either a loss for their side or has potential negative impacts, they invariably resort to stalling.

Even when they could call in the relevant personnel for an investigation and provide an explanation quickly, they delay, waiting until no one cares anymore before handling it hastily.

Clearly, this is the mindset of the leadership at Jiangcheng University. Not only do the advisors strictly prohibit students from spreading information, but some have already begun contacting the person who first discovered the body, the deceased’s three roommates, and another key person, Ke Yao.

It’s nothing more than an initial warning, using the diploma as leverage, threatening that speaking recklessly could result in a severe punishment, disciplinary action, or even failure to graduate, which would make any student, even a university student, feel uneasy.

After all, regardless of academic performance, this is the diploma earned through over a decade of diligent study, and no one would take it lightly. The most crucial point is that the school indeed has the authority to withhold it, which makes many resort to private discussions, staying detached from the matter.

After threats, comes inducement. For instance, the deceased’s three roommates, who, after all, lived together, would know more information. To prevent them from speaking recklessly, certain benefits would certainly be promised, like... guaranteed postgraduate recommendations, scholarships, and the like. As long as the students haven’t graduated, the school has ways to control them, because, after all, the arm cannot wrestle with the thigh.

What appears to be a harmonious society actually has many nauseating dealings. Young people find it disgusting and unjust, while the older generation calls it the ways of the world; it’s just how things are. After all, since the deceased isn’t their child, who would want to stir up trouble for themselves?

Fortunately, Su Qing’s seductive tactics were employed early on; otherwise, if delayed half a day more, they might not have extracted anything from Zhang Dandan.

Of course, when they went to inquire, they didn’t intend to use what was said as evidence, since it’s not testimony. Moreover, most of it was just gossip. As for taking them to the police station to make a statement or testify, that’s just wishful thinking; they are only the police, and testifying in court is a matter for the judiciary.

"Hello, we are officers from the East City Public Security Bureau. You must be Ke Yao. We’d like to talk to you about the situation; don’t be nervous, just tell us what you know." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

In a guidance office, Li Zijun, Du Qiang, and Su Qing sat in civilian clothes on chairs, their gaze fixed on a girl sitting on a nearby sofa.

Tall and slender with well-defined features, her face was adorned with exquisite makeup, making her look nothing like an enrolled university student but more like a girl who graduated and worked for a few years, appearing mature. She was indeed another key figure in this matter, Ke Yao.

But that was just her appearance. Under the group’s gaze, the panic in Ke Yao’s eyes didn’t diminish but became more evident. Although she looked mature, she lacked maturity in character.

It was like a teenage girl determined to wear stockings and high heels, imitating a mature woman’s style to showcase her grown-up appearance, creating a sense of dissonance.

This is also why many university graduates are easily identified as fresh graduates at a glance.

Under the trio’s insistence, the female advisor couldn’t withstand the pressure in the end. After all, if the person isn’t at the school, you have to give me their contact information, and we will get in touch. Should you dare claim as an advisor you don’t have the student’s contact, that would make them out to be fools.

Faced with such a major case, if the advisor dared to mess around, it would be inviting trouble for herself, and she could even be accused of hindering law enforcement.

Helplessly, the female advisor had to agree to contact them, and the three didn’t mind waiting, letting her go make the call.

There was no need to guess what she was up to; she was merely reporting to her superiors. With no other options, she had to notify Ke Yao to come back, but before that, some instructions from the leaders were inevitable.

And so, after waiting almost an hour, they finally met their target.

Confronted with Li Zijun, who graduated several years ago and was engaged in criminal investigation, the difference in aura was beyond comparison. Seeing them question her, Ke Yao stammered:

"You... hello, the recent events have been very stressful for me. I went to the hospital, and the doctor prescribed antidepressants. I don’t know how I can assist you."

Her statement was barely short of having "I have depression, don’t scare me" written across her face.

She even took out a certificate, which indeed showed her visiting a psychologist, but anyone knowledgeable would know that’s not a diagnosis and doesn’t explain much.

As soon as she finished speaking, a voiceover echoed in Su Qing’s mind.

[The envious Ke Yao doesn’t have depression; she’s simply afraid that her rumors might be associated and fears taking responsibility.]

Listening to the voiceover, Su Qing rolled his eyes. Why does everyone these days claim to have depression when something happens?

Especially some internet celebrities, who, after doing something stupid and getting cyber-bullied, inevitably claim to have depression. It’s almost become standard, as if without depression, they are unfit to be internet celebrities. It’s only a matter of time before someone complains, "I’m mentally unwell, you can’t cyber-bully me."

Unexpectedly, such tactics appear in reality too.

Upon hearing this, Li Zijun and Du Qiang both turned their eyes toward Su Qing, inquiring silently.

Su Qing merely shook his head and murmured, "Fake!"

Hearing this, Ke Yao was stunned. She turned to look over, seeing him with arms crossed, looking nonchalant, which shocked her, especially with that gaze, seemingly seeing through her, pressuring her further.

Of course, Ke Yao recognized Su Qing. She even heard about this matter yesterday, but didn’t expect to meet today in such a manner.

Seeing him so certain, Li Zijun and Du Qiang exchanged a glance, formulating their thoughts naturally.

"Regarding Wei Caiwen’s death, some say it was due to rumors that led to suicide, you must have heard some whispers, right?" Li Zijun spoke lightly.

Ke Yao, upon hearing this, began to sweat on her forehead: "N-no, it has nothing to do with me, it wasn’t me."

"Not you? Then why does everyone say you spread it? So many people in your class, we could easily check one by one. You’d best tell the truth; if it’s not heavily related to you now, that’s good, but if you lie and we verify with other students and find out it was you, the nature of this incident could change!" Du Qiang spoke sternly nearby.

"It really wasn’t me... I don’t know who spread it either, I’m just a victim."

[Ke Yao, frightened by the incident, hastily disbanded the group she used to stir trouble last night. However, because of her good looks, some admirers at school kept chat records.]

Upon hearing this, Su Qing felt assured internally but kept a calm exterior.

Seeing him remain silent, Li Zijun continued: "Not you? From our investigation, this rumor has been around for nearly two months. I have some screenshots here; you can take a look!"

She then showed her ’bounty’ acquired from the internet café "socializing." Since it was group creation for such activities, there would always be people taking screenshots, which eventually leak out.

At the moment Ke Yao saw the screenshots, she went pale. They were indeed group screenshots from back then, with matching WeChat names, avatars, and messages.

"I..."

"How about this, you tell us the truth, and if your involvement is minimal, there shouldn’t be a problem, but if you lie and we verify by checking with your classmates, the nature of this incident will change," Su Qing seized the moment to speak.

Ultimately, inexperienced young people with a guilty conscience, especially facing the police, could not withstand any pressure. Ke Yao broke down.

She confessed to spreading rumors about Wei Caiwen and Professor Jiang being together by gathering a group of friends. She embellished her story with excuses of not doing it deliberately, just gossiping, never thinking it would escalate like this, etc.

Hearing this, the team refrained from taking immediate action. Instead, they asked Du Qiang to find a tutor, summon the relevant personnel for verification, and finally took Ke Yao back to the police station. It was uncertain what would happen, but at least she would make a statement.

Currently, no one knows whether these rumors are the actual cause of Wei Caiwen’s suicide. If not, the worst Ke Yao would face is detention, or at least on-the-spot education. If they are, it could mean serious trouble, possibly leading to criminal liability.

On the other hand, an unexpected situation occurred as the team prepared to head back to the station.

"Dad... what are you doing?"

"This old wave isn’t your dad, right, youngster?"

Su Qing:...

...